Mission & Values

Powhatan School believes that successful education creates lifelong learners who use their knowledge, creativity, and skills to be confident students in an ever-changing world.

Why choose a K-8

We believe strongly in a PK-8 educational environment. The learning opportunities when elementary and middle school students attend classes together on the same campus are many and invaluable. Read more

Lower School (PK-5)

Powhatan’s Lower School (PK-5) provides a safe, nurturing environment where a firm foundation of academic, interpersonal, athletic, and cultural skills is built for each student.

Upper School (6-8)

Consisting of grades six to eight, with each grade divided into two sections of up to sixteen students, the Upper School seeks to prepare students to be academically successful at the high school level as well as socially skilled, community minded, and civically and environmentally responsible.

Welcome

This Admissions section serves as your resource for learning more about the inquiry and application process, and is designed to help guide you in your decision-making regarding Powhatan School and independent schools in general.

Thirty years later….Powhatan thrives!

Thirty years later….Powhatan thrives!

February 26, 1988. The stunning wooden farmhouse deeded to the Blue Ridge Country Day School in 1957 by the Crocker family burned to the ground in mere hours. Miraculously no one was in the building at the time, but the main schoolhouse was a complete loss. Faculty, students, parents and alumni mourned the sudden loss of this beautiful building that was a school home for decades of students.The grieving period, though, didn’t last long for this devoted community. As former Headmaster Billy Peebles said, “We aren’t going to look back. We’ve got a school to run and we’re going to do it.” Within three days the debris was cleared, trailers were installed, and required materials and supplies were obtained so students and teachers could return to school.

That same week as faculty reorganized the available space to accommodate all grades, the Board of Trustees and administration were discussing the rebuilding of Powhatan School. The school’s enrollment had been steadily growing, and in the summer of 1987, Trustees had adopted a Master Plan to be implemented in 3 phases over the next 8-10 years. Part of that plan had included a major renovation of the main schoolhouse, as well as an activities center and a science lab. With the sudden loss of the main schoolhouse, however, the building and campaign plans had to be completely reworked. Within days of the fire, the building campaign committee proceeded with the kick-off of Priority ’88 – the campaign to rebuild Powhatan School. In an unprecedented display of support and commitment from parents, friends and community members, the original goal was quickly met and revised upwards! Site clearing began and construction of the 25,000 square feet of new space was initiated several months later.

This unparalleled community spirit and steadfast belief in Powhatan’s mission and values is important to remember on this day. In remembrance and thanksgiving to those who made sure our school not only endured through this tragedy but prospered and grew, our 6th grade brought history back to life at Gathering. Students highlighted four main points in their presentation: the Beginning of Powhatan, the Day of the Fire, the Days after the Fire, and Where We Are Now. Through research, interviews, and gathering of artifacts, the students learned about Powhatan’s history and penned vivid prose to accompany their presentation to the entire school.

The gratitude endures. Our school motto, we learn not for school, but for life, was certainly modeled by our 6th grade students on this anniversary day as they educated their peers about our past. Thirty years later, Powhatan certainly thrives.